Usdaw backs business rates plea over 90,000 jobs at risk, as JD Sports board member steps down
Today brings a warning on retail jobs from Usdaw, a board change at JD Sports and a handful of new UK store signings.
In brief
- Usdaw has joined some of the UK's biggest retailers in calling for business rates relief, warning that 90,000 retail jobs could be lost by 2031 Retail Gazette.
- JD Sports Senior Independent Director Kath Smith, who was interim CEO from May to September 2022, is stepping down from the board TheIndustry.fashion.
- Greggs has signed for a combined 4,300 sq ft across two destinations in the Affinity outlet shopping centre portfolio Completely Retail.
- Space NK has signed for a 2,425 sq ft store at Castlepoint shopping park in Bournemouth Completely Retail.
- Shoppers on M&S.com and the M&S app can now pay with Klarna, using a three-part payment option Retail Gazette.
Jobs and people
The shopworkers' union Usdaw has added its voice to calls from retail giants for business rates relief. It warns that 90,000 retail jobs could be lost by 2031 Retail Gazette.
At JD Sports, Kath Smith is stepping down from the board. She is the retailer's Senior Independent Director and served as interim CEO from May to September 2022 TheIndustry.fashion.
In fashion, McQueen creative director Seán McGirr is leaving the luxury house after three years. He joined in October 2023 Retail Gazette.
In the US, Dick's Sporting Goods and its subsidiary Foot Locker plan to recruit more than 11,000 seasonal workers across their North American retail operations Retail Insight Network.
Stores and openings
Greggs, the grab-and-go food operator, has signed for a combined 4,300 sq ft across two Affinity outlet destinations Completely Retail. Beauty retailer Space NK has signed for a 2,425 sq ft store at Castlepoint in Bournemouth Completely Retail. Oliver Bonas is opening a new store at Clapham Junction station on 17 October Retail Gazette.
BP is revamping its Wild Bean coffee offering ahead of a wider rollout. The company called it Wild Bean Café's biggest transformation in years Better Retailing.
Overseas, British luxury brand Smythson has opened a new flagship boutique on New York's Madison Avenue TheIndustry.fashion.
Money and results
Retail parks are forecast to outperform the wider UK real estate sector, according to a new report from Columbia Threadneedle Investments (CTI) Completely Retail.
Richemont and Signet Jewellers are reportedly in advanced negotiations to join the consortium bidding to buy De Beers from Anglo American Retail Insight Network.
Digital and marketing
The Klarna option at M&S covers both the website and the app Retail Gazette. Consumer goods brands are increasing advertising investment even as sales growth slows, and retail media is emerging as a key beneficiary InternetRetailing.
Cyber security is also in the news. After a cyberattack on a French supermarket, retailers face food losses and questions over insurance cover, with hackers reportedly raising refrigeration temperatures to 50°C Retail Insight Network. In a guest comment, Tom Exelby of Red Helix explains how cyber-criminals targeting retailers can exploit suppliers InternetRetailing.
Our take
The 90,000 figure is a warning from Usdaw and retailers about jobs that could be lost by 2031. It is not a count of jobs already gone Retail Gazette. New signings from Greggs, Space NK and Oliver Bonas show some retailers are still taking on new space, so it is worth keeping an eye on your local centres as well as job listings Completely Retail Completely Retail Retail Gazette. TRAP has 19,617 live jobs today, including 1,141 at Next, 642 at Aldi and 635 at M&S.
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